The United States government has resumed military action against the Assad regime in Syria, bombing a military installation in response to an alleged chemical attack against non-combatants. Another attack was recently carried out against ISIS targets in Afghanistan These moves are a sharp deviation from Trump's previously established 'America first' policy. It could potentially put Russia and the United States in direct conflict and is sure to result in adverse blowback across the Middle East and Europe.
In Europe, terrorism is becoming ubiquitous. And extremist attacks impact the financial markets. The European Union slides further towards populism, and the economic uncertainty index rises to worrying levels.
All over the world, geopolitical tensions simmer to a boiling point and bolstering safe-haven demand for precious metals. The fear trade has propelled gold to its five-month high of $1,288 per ounce. Silver trades for $18.65, platinum and palladium go for $977 and $803